Bridging Generations and Cultures at Work: LaToya Lyn on Motivation and Inclusion

Ever wondered what really drives people at work—and how motivation is evolving in today’s rapidly changing workplace? In this episode, Dr. Bobbi Wegner sits down with human capital strategist LaToya Lyn to uncover the hidden forces behind team performance, generational shifts, and the psychology leaders need to build a future-ready organization. Get ready for real talk, actionable strategies, and fresh insights that will change the way you think about work.

LaToya Lyn is a fractional Chief People Officer and human capital strategist with over fifteen years of experience supporting high-growth organizations across tech, healthcare, and education startups. With dual master's degrees in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, plus advanced studies in AI at MIT and executive coaching at Harvard, LaToya is dedicated to helping mission-driven companies build inclusive cultures, develop strong leaders, and align people strategies with business goals. She teaches Future of Work at CUNY, exploring the intersections of psychology, technology, and leadership, and is known for her systems thinking approach that balances data-driven rigor with authentic human connection.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Redefining Motivation: The workplace is rapidly changing, and motivational strategies must evolve to address post-pandemic realities, generational expectations, and technological shifts.
• IO Psychology’s Growing Role: Leveraging industrial-organizational psychology helps leaders create evidence-based, human-centric cultures that align with business goals.
• Theory X vs. Theory Y: Many organizations say they value intrinsic motivation but operate with extrinsic, controlling methods. It’s important to align what’s said with what’s done to truly engage people.
• Tailoring to Employee Needs: Motivation varies across job levels and backgrounds, so leaders need to understand and address what matters most to different groups within the organization.
• Applying Evidence and Data: Leaders and HR should actively seek out and use psychological research and people data to inform decisions—making the science accessible and relevant for their teams.

Todays guest, LaToya Lyn, can be found online at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoyalyn/

Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:

Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/

Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/